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As the summer sun warms our days, it's easy to overlook the winter holidays on the distant horizon. However, savvy planners understand the value of planning for Christmas in July by kickstarting their holiday preparations during the warmer months. While it may seem premature to think about festive celebrations when the temperatures are soaring, initiating your holiday planning groundwork for a summer Christmas can yield numerous benefits. From alleviating stress to maximizing savings, starting early lays the foundation for a smoother, more enjoyable holiday season. Let's delve into some factors influencing why embarking on your Christmas journey now is more than just a mid-year whim—it's a strategic decision that can transform your end-of-year festivities.

More time = less stress

Planning for Christmas in July means you have more time equating to less stress! Let’s face it – the holidays can be stressful! From tackling the crowds at the mall to making sure you’ve got the perfect gifts for everyone on your list (and something for you), and don’t even get started about the FOOD. The truth is that last-minute Christmas prep stresses will pop up, but by starting your planning early, you get as much done as you can, ensuring that the last-minute annoyances are just that – small things that came up last minute.

Book your time off

July is the perfect time to put in for work vacation time. The holidays are a popular time for people to book off work, so ensure you put in your vacation requests early since there’s no guarantee you’ll get the time you requested off. The good news is that even if you don’t get your requested days, it’s early enough to make alternative Christmas planning arrangements on a bit of a different schedule.

Manage your budget better

Start making those Christmas lists. The more time you give people to get you what you want, the more likely you are to get it. On the flip side, more time gives you more opportunities to take advantage of sales throughout the year rather than waiting for inflated prices from October to December. Stay on top of your holiday planning by considering your budget and starting early to avoid those massive holiday credit card bills. Starting your shopping early, also makes it more likely there is a larger availability of items, especially popular ones. The holidays are a popular time for things to sell out, and not get restocked on time to celebrate the big day.

Summer is the perfect time to do an inventory

It’s a great time to pair together your spring cleaning with Christmas planning. Check out your gift wrap stash. Save money, save space, and use what you have before you buy more by inventorying any boxes of bags, bows and wrapping paper you have stored in the basement. There’s nothing worse than making a dollar store haul and bringing it home to find an already impressive pile of gift wrap at your home, waiting to be used.

Test it out

An important and often-missed Christmas prep step is to check on your electronic décor and ornaments. Christmas lights? Animatronic reindeer? Singing snow globe? There’s nothing worse than going to put lights on the tree only to find out the lights don’t work. That sends you on a wild goose chase to the store where you’re paying full holiday prices and dealing with crowds of people – if you can even find Christmas lights. Doing this in the summer gives you the chance to order the things you need online, likely at a discounted rate, before the mad holiday rush begins.

Decide on your Christmas Theme

Is your Christmas done in a new theme each year or do you go for classic? In case you’re going for something a little different, like “beach Christmas” or “summer Christmas”, summer is the perfect time to grab the summer-themed décor that you can Christmas-fy with a hot glue gun and all the tinsel you can get your hands on. Warmer-weather themes really give Christmas in July a whole new meaning and sometimes make those frigid winter temps seem a bit more manageable.

Remember the sweater parties

Need more Ugly Christmas Sweaters? The perfect time to get them, if you didn’t get them during Boxing Week, is in the SUMMER! Many online retailers are getting rid of last year’s inventory anticipating getting new designs in. The beauty of Ugly Christmas Sweaters is they never go out of style! Use Christmas in July as an excuse to have a hot summer Christmas when you shop for yourself. Remember, the uglier the better.

More time to DIY

Not everyone is easy to buy for, and some people merit that little bit of extra effort. Figure out what you are buying, for who, and what you are making. Get a head start on those DIY gifts by purchasing non-seasonal craft supplies early.
For bonus personal touches if you’re looking for something to keep the kids busy with this summer vacation, nudge them into summer Christmas mode, and have them create some custom holiday ornaments. Whether your tree will adorn them, or they’ll be gifted to family and friends, you can knock two things off your to-do list by enlisting help from the kids.

Gourmet chef or amateur home baker

You’ve got at least 3.5 months until the holiday season kicks into gear. Food is a great way to experiment with your Christmas prep since everybody has to eat, right? Practice some of those new recipes you’re dying to try out. Whether it’s a four-course dinner or a new cookie recipe, practice makes perfect. The summer months are the perfect time to really dive in and become a master at whatever dish or treat you’re bringing to Christmas Dinner this year. And your family and friends make the perfect guinea pigs. In the summer, they are more likely to tell you the truth about whether you nailed it or failed it, without all that extra holiday cheer, which also makes sometimes difficult feedback, easier to swallow.

Consider Traditions

Whether you have long-time old traditions that you want to get perfect or are intersected in starting some new ones, starting early gives you the best chance to create the Christmas of your dreams. Summer months before the hustle and bustle of the winter holidays is also a great time to scour Pinterest boards and figure out exactly what you want your Christmas to look like. Think of it as a Christmas in July vision board.

Get your watch list together

No Christmas planning is complete without Christmas movies! The Holiday season is for more than just eating without regret, gift-giving and family gatherings. It’s also the perfect time to watch as many feel-good holiday movies as you can cram into your schedule. With Hallmark, and other networks releasing new movies each year, and considering the ones you probably missed last year, the summer is the perfect time to make a list of your fave movies, the ones you’ve watched, and the ones from last year you need to catch this year before all the 2024 movies get released. The networks have also started releasing year-round festive movies for Easter, Leap Year, Valentine’s Day, and Summer vacation so watch those summer Romcoms, without regret. Cozy Slippers and Hot Cocoa mode: activated.

Some other benefits to consider as you contemplate planning Christmas in July are:

• Fewer crowds when you do larger shopping trips during the summer months.
• If you must travel to visit family, booking early is a great way to make sure you aren’t being hit with added unnecessary last-minute travel charges.
• Are you hosting, or attending a gathering? Consider grabbing the host a gift early. Even if that host is you. #TreatYourself

Christmas is also a huge season for themed events, Christmas markets, and all-around holiday parties. Take advantage of early bird ticket discounts on your favorite holiday events when you buy your tickets as part of a Christmas in July promo. Check out a Marketplace Events Holiday Show near you.

As the warmth of summer envelops us, now is the time to seize the opportunity to embark on our Christmas in July journey. By starting our preparations now, we're not just setting ourselves up for a smoother holiday season—we're reclaiming the true essence of Christmas. Let's trade frantic last-minute planning for moments of genuine connection and delight. Whether it's crafting handmade decorations, baking festive treats, or simply reveling in the joy of giving, early planning allows us to savor every moment of the season. You can pave the way for a holiday filled with warmth, love, and cherished memories.